£10,000 boost for Armed Forces Day celebrations in Weymouth

Ministry of Defence has donated £10,000 to support the borough’s annual Armed Forces Day Celebrations in Weymouth which will take place from June 21-27.

The celebrations will welcome thousands of veterans, residents and visitors to a packed programme of military and veterans commemorations and celebrations.

The borough’s biggest event will include a service of remembrance, a seafront veterans parade, displays and activities recognising the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I and the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

There will also be a beach assault and bridge building exercise, military vehicle convoy travelling from Weymouth Esplanade to Castletown on Portland. Castletown will be an ideal location for people to meet and greet the convoy on SaturdayJune 21.

During the festival there will be a flypast by a historic WW II Spitfire plane and marching and performing bands will play.

The Band of HM Royal Marines, Plymouth will lead the Sunday parade.

Matt Ryan, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Head of Tourism and Events, said: “This is excellent news for this high profile borough festival, a resounding success for the organising team, local veterans and the borough council. I would like to thank the Ministry of Defence for their continued support and generous grant.

“Veterans have made and continue to make a major contribution to our nation and the Weymouth and Portland Armed Forces Day Celebrations will provide a focus on the tireless work carried out by veterans associations, individuals and today’s military forces.”